Dan Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 Week 8: Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 1:00pm TV Network: CBS (TV Map) Announcers: Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf DirecTV: 709 Bills Radio: On the call: John Murphy (play by play), Mark Kelso (analyst), Joe Buscaglia (sideline) Flagship: Buffalo – WGR550 (550AM); Toronto - Sportsnet 590 The Fan; Rochester - WCMF (96.5) and WROC (950AM); Syracuse - WTKW (99.5/WTKV 105.5) Sirius: 134 ================================================================= Game Preview: The New Orleans Saints have had plenty of time to move on from their first loss of the season, which came in heartbreaking fashion. Coming off their bye week, the Saints' focus shifts to trying to prevent the Buffalo Bills from moving back to .500 on Sunday at the Superdome. Buffalo (3-4) avoided a third straight loss with a 23-21 victory at Miami last Sunday. Fred Jackson shook off a knee injury to total 85 yards with a rushing TD while ex-Dolphin Dan Carpenter kicked a pair of fourth-quarter field goals, including the 31-yard winner with 33 seconds left, to rally Buffalo from a four-point deficit. Read more at ESPN game preview... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scouting Report: Week 8 (from Buffalo Bills.com Chris Brown) NFL.com Video Preview Jill of the Week: Emily NFL.com Game Center Teams Stats: Bills Saints Total Yds/Game.... 333.3 397.7 Total Rush.............140.4 86.7 Total Pass.............192.9 311.0 Points/Game.......... 22.7 26.8 Time of Poss.......... 27.7 33.5 ---------------------------------------------- Yds/Gm Allowed... 380.4 338.0 Rush Yards........... 123.6 114.0 Pass Yards........... 256.9 224.0 Points Allowed........ 25.4 17.2 Source: NFL.com Injury Report: Buffalo Bills NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Jackson, Fred RB Knee DNP LP LP Probable Lawson, Manny LB Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Doubtful Manuel, EJ QB Knee DNP DNP DNP Out Spiller, C.J. RB Ankle DNP DNP DNP Doubtful Williams, Kyle DL Achilles DNP FP FP Probable Source: BuffaloBills.com New Orleans Saints NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Graham, Jimmy TE Foot DNP DNP LP Questionable Greer, Jabari CB Not Injury Related DNP - - - Harper, Roman S Knee DNP DNP DNP Out Ingram, Mark RB Toe DNP DNP LP Questionable Jenkins, Malcolm S Back FP FP FP Probable Jordan, Cameron DE Ankle DNP LP LP Questionable Moore, Lance WR Hand FP FP FP Probable Strief, Zach T Ankle DNP LP LP Questionable Sweeting, Rod CB Hip FP DNP DNP Out Walker, Tyrunn DE Knee DNP DNP DNP Out Source: NewOrleansSaints.com Practice Status Game Status DNP = Did Not Participate in Practice Out = Player will not play LP = Limited Participation - Less than 100% of normal reps Doubtful = 25% chance a player will play FP = Full Participation - 100% of a player's normal repetitions Questionable = 50% chance a player will play Out = Player will not play Probable = 75% chance a player will play (-) = Not Listed = No practice status available (-) = Not Listed - No game status available The Odds: Line: Saints -11 Over/Under: 49.0 Source: The Linemakers Up to date lines... if you're in Vegas. My Take on the Matchup: Why does it always seem the Bills are facing a well-rested team coming off their bye week? I guess if they hadn't just beaten the Dolphins, we could complain more. But, this week, we face one of the better teams in the league with Drew Brees looking as good as ever. It's difficult thinking the Bills can pull this game out. Yes, they've scored over 20 points in every game for an average of 23 points per game. However, the Saints are averaging nearly 27 points per game. And the Bills defense is allowing nearly 25 points per game. So, it's hard to see the Saints not getting their points. For that reason, the key to this game is for Thad and the Bills offense to score enough to keep pace with Brees and the Saints passing attack. The best shot is going to be establishing the run game and keeping Brees off the field. The Bills have one of the best rushing games in the league and even if they get behind early, they need to stick with it. Defensively, it would be really nice for Super Mario to continue his dominating play from last week. Pressure on Brees could be the additional push we need to keep our offense on the field. I'll be watching: 1. CJ Spiller and the run game. Will he play? If so, can he be effective with limited reps and a hurt ankle? Can Freddie continue being the heart and soul or will his knee be too much this time? And finally, Choice should get increased reps this game. Let's hope he responds. 2. Thad the Impaler. He needs to continue improving and be more accurate to the receivers. He can also do some damage in this game with his feet. Hopefully, he has the room and takes advantage of a defense that can give up some runs. 3. Super Mario and the defensive line. With a truly great QB that can pick apart any secondary, it's imperative we get pressure on Brees with the defensive line. Certainly, the Saints have seen the tape on Mario from last week and will have a plan to contain him. If they do, can the other guys pick up the slack? 4. Can we stop the run! Once again, we're facing a team that's not great at running the ball. Last week they let the Dolphins run for entirely too many yards. If Sproles and Thomas get going, we could be in serious trouble. 5. Coaching. Marrone and company have a full task this week. Matching game plans against the Saints will be a huge challenge. Will they be up to the task? This is not the week to give Brees an extra last minute drive before the half. Can they get the team fired up to play while minimizing the costly personal foul penalties? It's going to be a bell weather game for our coaching staff and this young team, I hope they're up for the challenge. Go Bills!!
Chandler#81 Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 On paper, we don't stand a chance. We're a double-digit underdog on the road against a team on a mission with a great -and likely- HOF QB coming off their Bye week. We're starting our 4th string QB with a crippled running game and a porous defense. On paper. But we've bore witness to a turnaround in chemistry and an upgrade in talent that has seen us be in every game so far, despite being decided underdogs. These guys believe in themselves and have found a way to bring the games to a final possession. Is this the game that knocks 'em back to the Same Ole Bills or does that legacy die today? I know many Bills fans who will be there -who wouldn't want to be in The Big Easy at Halloween?- and the team will hear them! It's tough to predict a win, but I expect us to continue to believe in themselves and show we're a competitive team. Paper be damned.
plenzmd1 Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 Bet the money line last weekend, can't mess with Karma. Same amount. On the Bills + 460.... Laissez les bob temps rouler
KikO M G Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 (edited) Thanks for the info and analysis. I would disagree that the key for the Bills is Thad though. Thad needs to avoid turnovers for sure. But even on his best day he cannot compete with Drew Brees. My key would be Mario Williams and the pass rush. They do have an advantage here, especially with OT Zach Strief questionable with an ankle injury for NO. If they can hit Brees multiple times and force some turnovers, I can see a way the Bills can win. The Bills lead the NFL with 12 interceptions. If the Bills are going to be 4-4 by tonight, I bet they will also pad their number of interceptions to 14 or 15. Edited October 27, 2013 by Right Manuel for the Job
K D Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 Our only chance is to get TURNOVERS. We won't score enough to keep pace unless we get some points off turnovers or big plays on special teams. We wouldn't have won last week without Robey's pick 6 and Mario's strip-sack. We need more plays like that today or we simply won't score enough points. If we win expect it to be a nailbiter all the way to the end so it's going to be a stressful day!
8-8 Forever? Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 Thanks for the info and analysis. I would disagree that the key for the Bills is Thad though. Thad needs to avoid turnovers for sure. But even on his best day he cannot compete with Drew Brees. My key would be Mario Williams and the pass rush. They do have an advantage here, especially with OT Zach Strief questionable with an ankle injury for NO. If they can hit Brees multiple times and force some turnovers, I can see a way the Bills can win. The Bills lead the NFL with 12 interceptions. If the Bills are going to be 4-4 by tonight, I bet they will also pad their number of interceptions to 14 or 15. Yes. Mario won the game last week, forcing the early pick 6 and singlehandedly handing the team the final winning points. He is the difference maker today for the Bills . He is playing at an all world level right now.
Wayne Cubed Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 @mortreport: Jimmy Graham fans, real and fantasy, don't get your hopes up for Sunday's Saints game vs Bills. Update Sunday @ESPNNFL Also responded to another tweet and said it doesn't look "optimistic" that he will be active at all
qbford8 Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 lets go bills we need this game i think they can get this and just heard jimmy g is a long shot to play witch is huge
KikO M G Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 lets go bills we need this game i think they can get this and just heard jimmy g is a long shot to play witch is huge I don't think we need this game but it sure would be nice! I am just hoping they don't get blown out.
plenzmd1 Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 Up and ready for the game. So went on a Saints board, the whole thread is everyone posting two words..WhoDat! Like 4 pages I think.....kinda cool! I am up too Mead...hope to see you at the Dome!
Bills!Win! Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 These are the worst 2 announcers in football
Wayne Cubed Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 Another Graham update: @ProFootballTalk: Jimmy Graham has a partially torn plantar fascia, via @JayGlazer http://t.co/brwQ6t1syo
Wattdogg35 Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 The Key to the Bills "keeping it close" b/c I don't think there is any way we could win, is the defense. Don't let the Saints score on huge plays which we have been giving up to much lesser opponets. If they can keep the Offense in front of them and get a few sacks and hits on DBrees, then we might be able to hold them to around 30, in which we should hopefully score 20 or so and keep it close! I really hope we do b/c the bills get no love as it is and if we get blown out it will look "nationally" that a good team destroyed a crappy team...even tho we know the truth!
djsabres Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 Jay Glazer ✔ @JayGlazer Partially torn plantar fascia is extremely painful and makes it hard to run and cut. No way to predict until he runs this AM 8:14 AM - 27 Oct 2013 24 RETWEETS Reply Retweet Favorite Jimmy Graham that is
Bufcomments Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 Well C.J. is out but so is Jimmy Graham. So that hurts both teams big time. Drew Brees is one of my fav QB's to watch. But he does throw INT's at times. But if he gets hott, we in trouble. Key to game, turnovers by Saints, stopping the Saints on the ground. Really wanna see Special teams score either from McLovin or Goodwin. If we can get another pick 6 and a ST touchdown the game will be close. But I don't see how the Bills can stop Brees . Hope I'm wrong.
Dan Posted October 27, 2013 Author Posted October 27, 2013 I think us losing CJ for the game is less of a hit than Brees losing Graham. So, in that regard, we come out on top. And with luck, CJ is healthier for another big game next week. The secondary still has their work cut out for them with their big WRs and Brees, but Graham being out should make it just a bit easier.
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